Craving laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak or freshly cooked roti without booking a flight to Singapore or Malaysia?
Metro Manila has several restaurants serving these Southeast Asian favorites, but one of the most interesting food rivalries is hiding along Nicanor Roxas Street in Quezon City. Shiok Shiok and Bugis Singapore Street Food are located just a few steps from each other, giving diners the chance to compare two popular versions of Singaporean hawker food in a single trip.
If Quezon City is too far, Nanyang and Roti Shop offer more convenient mall-based alternatives around Makati, Taguig, Pasay and Ortigas.
So where should you go first? It depends on whether you are looking for a loaded bowl of laksa, classic chicken rice, Malaysian-style beef rendang or warm roti straight from the griddle.
Why Do Malaysian and Singaporean Menus Look So Similar?
Singaporean food is shaped by Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and other Southeast Asian influences. This explains why dishes such as nasi lemak, laksa, beef rendang, roti prata and Hainanese chicken rice can appear in restaurants representing either country.
The dishes may share names, but the recipes can vary significantly. Laksa alone has several regional versions, ranging from creamy coconut-based curry laksa to the sharper and more sour Assam laksa.
Instead of trying to decide which country “owns” every dish, the better plan is to compare how each Metro Manila restaurant prepares it.
Shiok Shiok: Start With the Laksa, Satay and Chicken Rice
Shiok Shiok is one of the most recognizable Singaporean hawker-style restaurants in Quezon City. Its Nicanor Roxas branch sits at 81-A Nicanor Roxas Street, placing it almost directly across from Bugis.
Its menu covers the familiar Singaporean comfort-food lineup, including laksa, Hainanese chicken rice, chicken satay, salted egg chicken, cereal chicken, char kway teow and nasi lemak.
For a first visit, the spread photographed below is a practical starting point. You get a large serving of laksa, grilled chicken satay with peanut sauce and Hainanese chicken rice accompanied by chili, ginger and dark soy sauces.
Shiok Shiok is particularly suited to diners who want to order several dishes for sharing. The large laksa presentation makes the soup the center of the table, while the chicken rice and satay provide something milder between spicy spoonfuls.
The restaurant’s official social page currently positions it around Singaporean hawker favorites. Operating hours and available menu items should still be confirmed before visiting.
Bugis: The Loaded Laksa Option Just Across the Street
Walk a few steps to 78 Nicanor Roxas Street and you will find Bugis Singapore Street Food.
Bugis also places laksa at the heart of its menu, but its version is known for being loaded with assorted “Numnums,” the restaurant’s name for fish balls, fish cakes and other add-ons. Its wider menu also includes Hainanese chicken, nasi goreng, sambal kangkong, beef rendang, kaya toast and party trays.
This is a good choice when dining with a group that wants more than one signature dish. The laksa can anchor the meal, while nasi goreng adds a filling rice option and sambal kangkong brings extra heat and vegetables to the table.
Bugis also promotes party trays, making it worth checking for family meals, office gatherings or celebrations. Current offerings can be found through the restaurant’s official Facebook page.
Shiok Shiok and Bugis both held 4.5-star Google ratings when this comparison was captured, making Nicanor Roxas Street an interesting destination for a Singaporean food crawl. Ratings and review counts may change.
Nanyang: The Most Convenient Choice for Mall Diners
Not everyone wants to travel to Quezon City for a bowl of laksa. Nanyang fills that gap with branches in major malls and commercial centers, including locations in Makati, Taguig, Pasay and other parts of Metro Manila.
Its menu is compact and approachable, covering Laksa Prawn, Homemade Nasi Lemak, Hainanese Chicken Rice, Hainanese Fried Chicken Rice and Cheesy Chicken Chop Noodles. Kaya toast, kopi and teh also make Nanyang suitable for breakfast or a lighter afternoon meal.
Nanyang is the easiest recommendation for solo diners and office workers. Most of its main dishes arrive as complete individual meals, so there is no need to assemble a large order.
The Homemade Nasi Lemak brings together coconut rice, fried chicken, egg, cucumber, anchovies and sambal. The Cheesy Chicken Chop Noodles are a more modern choice, pairing fried chicken with thin noodles and a rich cheese sauce. For something closer to classic hawker comfort food, the Laksa Prawn remains the obvious order.
Check the official Nanyang menu and branch directory before heading out.
Roti Shop: Go Here When Roti and Rendang Are the Priority
Roti Shop places Malaysian and Singaporean hawker-style food in a brighter, more polished mall setting. As its name suggests, freshly cooked roti is not treated as a simple side dish. It is built into many of the restaurant’s combo plates.
The Beef Rendang and Roti Combo is the better choice for diners looking for deeper spice and a richer sauce. The Hainanese Chicken and Roti Combo is milder, but still lets you enjoy chicken rice and curry-dipped roti in one order.
Roti Shop works best when the craving is specifically for flaky flatbread served hot with curry. The Power Plant Mall and The Podium branches are convenient anchors for Makati and Ortigas diners.
Older branch lists may still include Estancia Mall, but Roti Shop announced that its Estancia branch’s final day was June 30, 2026. Check the restaurant’s official page for its latest locations.
Roti Shop had a 4.2-star Google rating when this listing was captured. Ratings, review counts and branch details may change.
Which Restaurant Should You Choose?
There is no single winner because the four restaurants serve different dining needs.
Choose Shiok Shiok if you want laksa, chicken rice and satay served as a generous shared feast.
Choose Bugis if you prefer a loaded laksa and a wider selection of rice, vegetable and party-tray dishes.
Choose Nanyang if branch convenience, solo-friendly meals and quick mall dining are the priorities.
Choose Roti Shop if freshly cooked roti, curry and beef rendang are what you are really craving.
For serious laksa hunters, however, the most enjoyable plan is still a Nicanor Roxas food crawl. Order laksa at Shiok Shiok, cross the street to Bugis and decide for yourself which bowl deserves a return visit.
Are There Any Coupons or Promo Codes?
Coupon Grocer did not find a dedicated restaurant promo code for these four establishments at the time of writing. Mall promotions, credit card offers and delivery-app discounts may still be available, so check the restaurant’s official channels and the applicable terms before ordering.
Quick Singaporean and Malaysian Food Directory
Use these official pages to check current menus, operating hours, branches and announcements before visiting:
- Shiok Shiok Singapore Famous Hawker Food
- Bugis Singapore Street Food
- Nanyang Philippines Menu
- Nanyang Philippines Branch Directory
- Roti Shop Philippines
Disclaimer
Coupon Grocer is not a booking or restaurant reservation platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the restaurants, malls, hotels, directories or dining platforms mentioned in this article. Information is based on publicly available sources as of August 2026 and is provided for general reference only. Restaurant operations, branches, menus, prices, opening hours, reservation policies and announced opening dates may change without notice. Please confirm the latest details directly with the establishment through its official channels before visiting.
